For Immediate Release For More Information Contact:
Kristine Houtman, 612-710-5584
Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit Tests the North Dakota Waters for
Serious Team Format Interest – Sponsored by North American Fishing Club
Minnetonka, MN – Hosting the first exhibition tournament in Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit history, the MWC is heading to Devils Lake in North Dakota, July 15th and 16th, and will test the water on teams interested in competing in the longest running, professional team format walleye circuit. This event will not carry any individual division points, but can be used by Circuit anglers for Challenge points. Payout percentages are the same as other MWC tournaments with 80% guaranteed, paying down 17.5% of the field. In this case that means $27,700 paid out to the top 9 places, with $9,850 for the winners. As per North Dakota regulations, 10% of the entry fee will be given for fisheries conservation efforts on Devils Lake through Spirit Lake Resort and Casino.
“This stop is new territory for us,” shared Kristine Houtman, director of the MWC. “We have wanted to explore a new geographic region without making a commitment to a full division, so a single stand-alone tournament is a great way for us to get a sense of how many teams are interested.” Currently, 57 teams are signed up for the event, 33% of the field from North Dakota, 29% from Minnesota, 18% from Wisconsin and less than 10% from each of the following states: Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Texas.
Forty percent of the field contains Circuit anglers that have picked this tournament for their fourth – or Challenge tournament. “Adding a tournament outside your division is what any team needs to do in order to make a run for MWC Team of the Year,” shared Kenny Ludwig of Leavenworth, Kansas. “But it is also an important tool to use if you are trying to qualify for the World Walleye Championship, which we are. That fourth tournament really makes a huge difference in improving your odds for getting into the Championship.” Ludwig, along with partner Steve Stein, also of Leavenworth, Kansas, are fishing the Devils Lake tournament as their Challenge tournament. On the flip side, a number of western-based anglers are excited to see the MWC head out to their neck of the woods.
“There are a lot of professional tournaments on Devils Lake, but we’re excited to see the “Grand-daddy” of team formats, the Cabela’s MWC, head our way,” shared Jeff Trana of Devils Lake. Trana has fished with partner Rick Darling in team tournaments for the last ten years. “It is nice to see a tournament format that we enjoy along with great payout come our way. And winning an MWC tournament is every team’s dream.”
Conditions should continue for great fishing on Devils Lake throughout the pre-fishing week and into the tournament days on July 15th and 16th, as has been the case this entire season. The question will be if teams can get on the good sized fish which is what it will take to win. The big fish are primarily located in the deeper water along the weed beds this time of year. A unique aspect to fishing Devils Lake is that just about “anything goes” when it comes to technique. Teams can pick their preferred presentation, everything from live bait rigs, jigs, trolling cranks, casting cranks and even slip bobbers can win tournaments.
Based on 57 teams the first place prize money will be $9,850; paying out 9 places to the field totaling $27,700. Additionally, sponsor prizes and bonus money will be paid accordingly:
Ranger Boats Ranger Cup: Top finishing Ranger Cup Boat owner receives $1,000.
Tommy Docks Comeback Award: For the team that moves up the most from day 1 to day 2 – $500.
Ice Armor: Two new Ice Armor outwear gear suits; plus if the lucky team that is drawn for the new suits wins the tournament, a $1000 bonus.
Lindy Drift Control Award: $200 cash plus two new Lindy Drift Control socks for the team that finishes the highest and uses any drift sock during the tournament.
Food Source Lures & Cabela’s have onsite games where anglers and fans can win cool prizes including cash and Cabela’s gift cards.
The Inhibitor Tough Times Award: $100 bonus to the team that weighs the smallest basket of fish (but not a zero.)
Panther Marine Tech: $100 cash bonus for top finishing team with Panther products.
The Spirit Lake Resort and Casino will host the tournament near the Marina. Everyone is invited to watch the weigh-ins on Saturday and Sunday afternoon – beginning at 2:30 pm.
Openings exist in future MWC tournaments. For more information go to http://www.masterswalleyecircuitcom or call the MWC office at 877-893-7947.
Remaining 2006 Schedule
Central Division
Sept 16/17 – Lake City, MN – Mississippi River
East Division
August 19/20 – Linwood, MI – Saginaw Bay
Exhibition Tournament
July 15/16 – Spirit Lake Casino, ND – Devils Lake
World Walleye Championship
October 4-7 – Prairie du Chien, WI – Mississippi River
Cabela’s is the title sponsor for the Masters Walleye Circuit. Official Sponsors are North American Fishing Club, Mercury Motors, Outdoor Life Network (OLN), Ranger Boats, MotorGuide, Lindy Legendary Tackle and Lowrance Electronics. Associate sponsors are Salmo Performance Lures, Panther Marine-Tech Products, Tommy Docks, The Inhibitor, Food Source Lures, Ice Armor, Pennzoil Marine, Farm and City Insurance Services and Walleye Central.
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